Tag: chocolate

  • Chocolate S’mores Ice Cream

    Chocolate S’mores Ice Cream

    One of my family’s fondest summer memories is of roasting marshmallows on an open fire. My husband had built a fire pit behind our cabin in Maine, just a few steps away from the lake shore. There was a pile of kindling next to the fire pit, most of it for building the fire; some, the long skinny twigs, for poking a marshmallow at the end of it and roasting. The Chocolate S’mores Ice Cream is an homage to this warm summer memory. Here’s my version of the recipe, based on The Ciao Bella Book of Gelato and Sorbetto: Bold, Fresh Flavors to Make at Home:

    Ingredients:
    2 cups raw organic whole milk
    1 cup raw organic heavy cream
    1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
    4 egg yolks
    1/2 cup organic sugar
    1/2 cup ground graham crackers
    1/2 cup mini marshmallows

    Combine milk and cream in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally so a skin doesn’t form until tiny bubbles form around the edge and the mixture reaches 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn off the heat and whisk in the cocoa powder and chocolate chips until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.

    In the meantime, whisk egg yolks in a ceramic bowl until smooth. Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup sugar until well incorporated into a thick pale yellow paste. Slowly pour in the hot chocolate milk mixture while whisking continuously. This is important: The chocolate milk should not be poured into the egg mixture too quickly or you will get scrambled eggs.

    Return the egg and chocolate milk custard to the saucepan and cook over low heat. Stir frequently with a wooden spoon until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon. Temperature of the custard should reach 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not allow the custard to boil.

    Pour the custard through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl and let it cool to room temperature. Stir the custard every five minutes until cooled completely. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Also refrigerate mini marshmallows and ground graham crackers.

    Prepare ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Churn until thickened into a soft serve consistency. Add the graham crackers and mini marshmallows just before churning ends. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze until firm.

  • Chocolate Ice Cream

    Chocolate Ice Cream

    Chocolate is my guilty pleasure. I always have to think twice about buying it, and when I do it’s always with a deep breath first before I dive in. So when I made this Chocolate Ice Cream, I put twice as much chocolate as I originally intended. If I am going to feel guilty about something, I may as well make the most of it.

    Ingredients:
    1 cup whole milk
    1/2 cup sugar
    1 package (16 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
    2 cups heavy cream, chilled
    1 tsp vanilla extract

    Follow manufacturer’s instructions on how to prepare your ice cream maker.

    1. Heat whole milk in a medium saucepan until it bubbles around the edges.
    2. Whisk sugar into the heated milk.
    3. Add 1 cup (8 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips and whisk until melted into the milk.
    4. Transfer to a medium bowl and let it cool completely.
    5. Stir in heavy cream and vanilla.
    6. Churn the mixture in an ice cream maker for at least 30 minutes or until thickened into a soft-serve consistency.
    7. While churning, melt remaining 1 cup (8 oz) semi-sweet chocolate in a small sauce pan. Pour the melted chocolate into ice cream as is churns. The melted chocolate will immediately harden upon contact with the ice cream. You will have slivers of crunchy chocolate in your ice cream.
    7. Freeze for at least 2 hours if a firmer consistency is desired.

    Enjoy!

  • Poodle Turds

    Poodle Turds

    Okay, they’re not really poodle turds. This is my mother-in-law’s recipe for no-bake chocolate-oatmeal cookies. The lady had a sick sense of humor, and played many pranks in her day. A few years back she used to sell homemade Poodle Turds at PoodleTurds.com. My husband Photoshopped my smile on a poodle and Buttons, the smiling mascot was born, selling Poodle Turds like hotcakes.

    Ingredients:
    2 cups organic sugar
    1/2 cup raw milk
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1/2 cup (1 stick) organic butter
    5 level tablespoons cocoa powder

    Combine the ingredients above in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Let it go to full boil for 2 minutes while stirring continuously.

    Remove from heat and quickly mix in:

    1 teaspoon vanilla
    3 cups instant oatmeal

    Scoop cookies onto wax paper and let it harden as it cools.